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Para-jumble Sentences
Question 33: The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) given below, when properly sequenced would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequence of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer.
1. If you’ve seen a little line of text on websites that says something like "customers who bought this also enjoyed that” you have experienced this collaborative filtering firsthand.
2. The problem with these algorithms is that they don’t take into account a host of nuances and circumstances that might interfere with their accuracy.
3. If you just bought a gardening book for your cousin, you might get a flurry of links to books about gardening, recommended just for you! – the algorithm has no way of knowing you hate gardening and only bought the book as a gift.
4. Collaborative filtering is a mathematical algorithm by which correlations and co-occurrences of behaviors are tracked and then used to make recommendations.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: 4123
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:
Sentence-1 states “this collaborative filtering” – which implies that collaborative filtering has been discussed prior to this statement. Similarly, Sentence-2 states “these algorithms” – which means there is a prior statement about algorithms. Sentence-3 hyphenates in the middle and concludes that “the algorithm has no way of knowing”, which means this cannot be the opening line either.
Sentence-4 provides a textbook definition of the term “collaborative filtering” by explaining that it is an algorithm that tracks online behaviour and generates recommendations on that basis. Sentence-4 makes for the perfect (and the only) opening line for this passage.
Then, Sentence-1 explains further about what collaborative filtering looks like by giving an example. Sentence-2 introduces the fact that the algorithm has its own flaws. Sentence-3 provides an example for a glitch in the algorithm.
Hence, the correct sequence of sentences will be 4123.
Word-1: Collaborative
Context:
"If you’ve seen a little line of text on websites that says something like 'customers who bought this also enjoyed that’ you have experienced this collaborative filtering firsthand." - Internet Usage Example
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "collaborative" refers to something that involves cooperation or working together with others to achieve a common goal. In the context of technology, such as "collaborative filtering," it implies systems or processes that rely on the shared behavior or input of users to make recommendations or predictions. More generally, it reflects teamwork, shared effort, and mutual assistance.
Meaning: Involving or done by two or more people working together (Adjective)
Pronunciation: kuh-LAB-uh-ruh-tiv
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *collaborare*, meaning "to work together" (com- ‘together’ + laborare ‘to work’).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is commonly used in both academic and business environments. Keep an eye out for it in phrases like "collaborative effort," "collaborative tools," or "collaborative projects."
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: cooperative, joint, team-based, shared
Antonyms: individual, independent, solitary, uncooperative
Usage Examples:
- The success of the startup was largely due to its collaborative culture.
- We used a collaborative document editor to work on the proposal simultaneously.
- Collaborative filtering has revolutionized how products are recommended online.
- They engaged in a collaborative art project that involved students from five schools.
Cultural Reference:
"Collaboration has no hierarchy. The Sun collaborates with soil to bring flowers on the earth." - Amit Ray
Think About It:
How can fostering a more collaborative mindset improve your personal or professional life?
Quick Activity:
List three online tools that help facilitate collaborative work and write one sentence explaining how each helps in teamwork.
Memory Tip:
Think of "co-labor" in "collaborative" — people laboring (working) together toward a goal.
Real-World Application:
In workplaces, collaborative software like Slack, Trello, and Google Docs helps teams coordinate tasks and communicate effectively.
Word-2: Circumstances
Context:
"The problem with these algorithms is that they don’t take into account a host of nuances and circumstances that might interfere with their accuracy." - Internet Usage Example
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "circumstances" refers to the conditions or facts that are connected with and affect a situation, event, or action. These may include time, place, personal factors, or environmental influences. In the sentence provided, it emphasizes how real-world complexities can challenge the assumptions made by rigid algorithms.
Meaning: The conditions or facts surrounding and influencing a particular event or situation (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: SUR-kum-stans-iz
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *circumstantia*, from *circum* ‘around’ + *stare* ‘to stand’, meaning “standing around” or “surrounding conditions.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is often used when talking about why something happened, especially in the phrase "due to unforeseen circumstances" — pay close attention to its contextual usage!
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: conditions, situation, factors, context
Antonyms: constants, certainties, inevitabilities
Usage Examples:
- Under no circumstances should you reveal the password.
- Their decision was understandable given the circumstances.
- She succeeded despite challenging family circumstances.
- Algorithms often fail to understand human behavior in complex circumstances.
Cultural Reference:
"Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power." - Benjamin Disraeli
Think About It:
Can we ever make a completely unbiased decision, or are we always shaped by our circumstances?
Quick Activity:
Write a short paragraph describing a time when circumstances forced you to change your plans. Highlight how the conditions influenced your decision.
Memory Tip:
Think: "Circum" = around, "stance" = stand → The things that 'stand around' a situation — its surrounding conditions.
Real-World Application:
Understanding someone’s circumstances is crucial in professions like social work, counseling, and law, where context determines appropriate action and response.
Word-3: Correlations
Context:
"Collaborative filtering is a mathematical algorithm by which correlations and co-occurrences of behaviors are tracked and then used to make recommendations." - Internet Usage Example
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "correlations" refers to connections or relationships between two or more things, especially when they change in a similar way. In statistics and data science, correlations help identify patterns — for example, when people who like one product also tend to like another. This is fundamental to how recommendation systems work: by tracking and analyzing correlations in behavior.
Meaning: A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: kor-uh-LAY-shunz
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Medieval Latin *correlatio*, from *com-* ‘together’ + *relatio* ‘relation’.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word appears frequently in statistics, science, psychology, and data analytics. Remember, correlation does not imply causation — an important distinction in logical reasoning!
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: connections, associations, relationships, links
Antonyms: disconnections, differences, separations, divergences
Usage Examples:
- Strong correlations were found between smoking and heart disease.
- Data analysts look for correlations to build predictive models.
- There are interesting correlations between music preferences and personality traits.
- Correlations in user behavior help platforms suggest relevant content.
Cultural Reference:
"Correlation does not imply causation." - Popular saying in statistics and science, cautioning against jumping to conclusions.
Think About It:
Have you ever assumed two events were linked just because they happened together? What does that say about how we interpret patterns?
Quick Activity:
Choose two daily habits of yours. Do you think there’s a correlation between them? Write one sentence explaining why or why not.
Memory Tip:
Think "co-" means together, and "relation" means connection — so "correlation" is about things moving together.
Real-World Application:
Correlations are used in fields like finance, health, marketing, and artificial intelligence to identify trends, forecast behavior, and make data-driven decisions.
Word-4: Co-occurrences
Context:
"Collaborative filtering is a mathematical algorithm by which correlations and co-occurrences of behaviors are tracked and then used to make recommendations." - Internet Usage Example
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Co-occurrences" refers to the instances where two or more things happen at the same time or in close proximity to each other. In data science and machine learning, it often describes events or behaviors that appear together frequently, such as people buying two products at the same time. Tracking co-occurrences helps systems detect patterns that inform suggestions or predictions.
Meaning: The simultaneous or near-simultaneous appearance of two or more things (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: koh-uh-KUR-uhn-siz
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *co-* meaning "together" and *occurrere* meaning "to run to meet, happen, or present itself".
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is widely used in computational linguistics, AI, and recommendation systems. Understanding it helps you grasp how machines "see" associations between behaviors or terms.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: simultaneity, concurrence, coincidence, conjunction
Antonyms: separation, independence, disjunction
Usage Examples:
- The co-occurrences of search terms help improve online recommendations.
- Linguists study word co-occurrences to understand contextual meanings.
- Frequent co-occurrences of certain behaviors can reveal user preferences.
- Weather models are trained using co-occurrences of temperature and humidity data.
Cultural Reference:
"Co-occurrence analysis is at the heart of natural language processing." - Common concept in AI research literature
Think About It:
Can the frequent co-occurrence of events mislead us into assuming a causal link between them?
Quick Activity:
Think of two items that are often bought or used together (e.g., toothbrush and toothpaste). Write one sentence explaining their co-occurrence.
Memory Tip:
Break it down: “co-” means together and “occurrence” means happening — so "co-occurrence" is things happening together.
Real-World Application:
In recommendation systems like Netflix or Amazon, co-occurrences help identify which products or shows are frequently enjoyed together by users.
Word-5: Nuances
Context:
"The problem with these algorithms is that they don’t take into account a host of nuances and circumstances that might interfere with their accuracy." - Internet Usage Example
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "nuances" refers to subtle distinctions, variations, or shades of meaning, feeling, or tone. These are the fine details that often go unnoticed but can significantly alter understanding or perception. In the context of algorithms, it highlights how machines might miss the delicate complexities or contextual subtleties that human reasoning naturally accounts for.
Meaning: Subtle differences in meaning, expression, or sound (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: NOO-ahn-siz or NYOO-ahn-siz
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From French *nuance*, meaning "shade" or "subtlety", from Latin *nubes* meaning "cloud" — implying something soft or barely perceptible.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a powerful word in essays and analysis, especially when discussing literature, human behavior, or complex issues. Use it to show depth in your interpretation or critique.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: subtleties, distinctions, refinements, variations
Antonyms: generalities, bluntness, obviousness, crudeness
Usage Examples:
- The actor captured all the emotional nuances of the character beautifully.
- Understanding cultural nuances is essential when working in international teams.
- The algorithm fails to grasp the nuances of human language and context.
- His argument was strong, but he ignored the nuances that made the issue complex.
Cultural Reference:
"There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth — with all their nuances." - Leo Tolstoy (paraphrased)
Think About It:
Why do you think machines struggle with nuances that humans easily perceive?
Quick Activity:
Pick a word like "happy" and list three nuanced alternatives (e.g., content, joyful, satisfied). Explain the subtle differences between them.
Memory Tip:
Think of a "nuisance" as something annoying — now soften it: a "nuance" is something barely noticeable, like a soft disturbance in meaning or tone.
Real-World Application:
Professionals in law, therapy, diplomacy, and literature must pay close attention to nuances to interpret words, behaviors, or situations correctly.
